Guess What Gage Was for Halloween? OHIO!!!

That's right he was an OHIO State fan:)

Call to Action!!!

***ATTENTION*** THIS HAS PASSED!!!*** THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!***


This topic is one that is very important to me and my family and therefore I am asking for your assistance in signing this petition. The petition is in relation to international adoption and the 1660A form which allows us to bring our child home. There is much reform happening in the adoption world which will make it much harder for families like mine to provide a loving home to children who desperately need it. By singing this petition you will be helping families that are already in the process of adopting a child under the current laws in the United States to be unaffected by the current reform. Please if you would like further information I am happy to pass on what I know. I am asking that you forward this on to those who you feel will participate.



http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/adoption-for-all.html

On a lighter note... These pictures may be older (from July), but they show the two cutest boys in the world Gage and my nephew Chase!!!

Family Day!!!

Today marks TWO years since Gage was placed in our arms forever! It's hard to imagine that he hasn't always been here with us. Gage and I looked through his photo album last night and were able to talk about Guatemala and his loving family that he still has there and how his daddy and I are so lucky to have him in our lives. It's funny the things even young children pick up on. He was talking about the pictures and noticed some toys that he still has in them and got all excited. He wanted to play with them right away...

I am going to post pictures soon. I know I've been slacking, but I do have an excuse... We just moved again:) Into a house this time. We couldn't handle apartment living and it was causing too much stress when we are already in a difficult situation to begin with.

Warm Water in Guatemala

Below is an article published on solar water heaters being installed in Guatemala. It is great to see progress being made here. There are so many things we take for granted and seeing something like this happening in Guatemala makes me happy to see progress, but sad to see that there are so many things people are still living without.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/08/04/solar.heat.houses/index.html

Proud Mommy Moment

I am sitting here looking at Gage's picture from our pick up trip and it is hard for me to think about the fact that he hasn't lived with us his whole life. He is so ingrained in everything we do. I can't make a decision without thinking how it will affect him; and I can't imagine that I could ever have made a decision without putting him first. I guess you could say I am having a proud Mommy moment. He is really starting to grow up. He talks in full sentences now... Just the other day we were watching a show with ducks and he told me "Mommy the chickens are funny." Okay, so maybe he said chickens instead of ducks, but when I told him they were ducks he said, "Mommy the duckies are funny." I can't believe my little man is starting to become a big boy!!! Now if I could get him to commit to potty training that would be great. When we moved it took him a little off course.

We've been here for a month! YIKES!!!!

Well, I have been here (Wisconsin) for a month. Chris and Gage have been here for a couple weeks. We are settling into the boxes in our apartment and are cautiously optimistic that our house won't take a year or more to sell... It's been on the market for about a month and we have had 6 couples come through. So given the crap that keeps hitting the news about the housing market I would say that is not too bad.

Gage has his first school field trip tomorrow. They are going to a farm. I am sure he will have a blast. Chris started work last week. He really likes the company he is working for and different departments are vying for him already. I am so happy for him!!! He fits in perfectly with his background from the Fire Department and search and rescue teams. That's all for now. I just felt like I hadn't updated for a while:)

WE ARE MOVING TO WISCONSIN

I think most of you know that Chris and I have decided to move to Wisconsin... I received a promotion at work and Chris being the wonderful husband he is is all for it. We found an apartment in a great little town. Just pray for us that our house will sell quickly and we don't have to do the apartment thing for too long. Chris has never lived in an apartment before and I haven't had to since I was in College (and that feels like a long time ago)... Gage's friends at school are already telling us they are not going to let him leave. I know it sounds like a doting Mommy, but they really do love him. Everyone has to give him a hug before he goes home EVERY DAY. I know he will adjust anywhere. He has such a charismatic personality.



AND DON'T WORRY I AM STILL A BUCKEYE FAN!!!!! GO BUCKS!!!!



Hear that Chris Bucks not Badgers!!!

Gage has a girlfriend!

Last weekend we got together with some of our friends and their daughter. She and Gage really hit it off. They even kissed (of course it was at the adults urging)... It was so cute.



Oh and he has stinky feet... Don't mind the mismatched pjs. We really needed to do laundry:) I know you all understand! Enjoy.

YEAH!!!!!

We have been approved for a child 0-2 from Colombia:) I am on cloud nine right now. We know there is still a long wait ahead, but one more step is complete. Our agency believes the child will be between 8-15 months due to what they have been seeing with non-Colombian families. This is such a huge relief because of Chris's health history (Cancer free for over 2 years, Colombia usually wants 3).

Congratulations Gage you are going to be a great big brother:)

Time sure goes fast!

Just last month Gage learned how to give real kisses. Now he understands that if he withholds them he can get extra attention:)

Here is the real story: Gage has a favorite teacher at school. We will call her T. T has been out for a few weeks because she had to have knee surgery. Yikes! Well, she finally came back yesterday and of course Gage was thrilled. For all of our having to ask him to get a kiss he planted one right on her cheek with no request!!! Not to mention this is the one he tells huba huba when she changes his diaper. Do you think I have my hands full? Who would have thought that at 2 he would have it all figured out. It must be that Latino blood running through his veins:)

Gage is growing up!

Gage hit two big milestones this week:) He started giving real kisses!!! See the video. He used to tip his head and only receive kisses.

Here is the bigger one! He uses the big boy potty!!!! And he is proud of it!

I thought I would post some other pictures as well since I haven't done so in a while.

LET THE WAITING BEGIN

Here's the good news! Our Dossier should be in Colombia as we speak. According to my agency ICBF has set a goal of reviewing all dossiers within 8 weeks of receiving them rather than the 4-5 months it was taking. However, I am not holding my breath since I know the best of intentions are some times not always as attainable as we think. Therefore, I am planning on hearing something by mid April; giving them three months... Until then I will be praying that none of our paperwork needs to be redone and that Chris's cancer (cancer free for 2 years 5 mos now) is not an issue. We did have a very strong letter from his radiologist stating that there was a very slim chance of it ever returning. You know how it goes... they can never state 100%.


So I have realized that I shouldn't promise pictures and not post them:) Our computer is down again!!! This is the fourth time in 3 months so they have finally decided that they will replace it.

So the termoil is over:)

This will be a short post, but thought I would give a quick update on the paperwork debacle. After complaining about how everything was falling apart, it is coming back together again (why does that sound like humpty dumpty?). I am traveling to Columbus tomorrow to finish up my dossier and get it to Colombia. It is a good thing to have a flexible boss and offices where I need them. I don't even have to take a vacation day!!!


I will try to post some pictures later tonight from our holiday festivities.